JJ Redick was brought in to right the wrongs of the Darvin Ham era as the Los Angeles Lakers look to build into a new era. His work was to unlock the team’s offensive output and be able to beat fellow playoff contenders. However, 17 games into this season and the record was identical to Ham’s last.
At the start of this season, LeBron James and his teammates showed some promise, as they played efficient and exciting basketball. With James as the playmaker, his scoring load was reduced. However there were games when he showed he can turn it on when needed.
After eight games, they stood at 4-4 with some embarrassing losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. But after that, James led a six-game winning streak. That streak gave the impression the team had figured it out.
Players were enjoying the wins and even though some players struggled, the overall mood was ecstatic. But three loss, the last two being embarrassing blowouts suggested the team has a lot to work on. It also begged the question if Redick had done anything to be better than Ham.
1. The difference between JJ Redick and Darvin Ham’s tenure
In those seventeen games, Darvin Ham‘s Lakers lost primarily on the road as well on the second of their back-to-back’s. That suggested fatigue could have been the issue. But the wins showed it was not just that as they won against teams still figuring out their own rotation or struggling with injuries.
In Redick’s term so far, five of the seven losses have been in double-digits, with some embarrassing blowouts. On top of that, except their opening three-game winning streak, the rest of the wins have been against struggling teams, both production wise and personnel wise.
A direct comparison would suggest that Darvin Ham’s stretch was better than what JJ Redick has been able to do. But an optimist will look into the fact that it was Ham’s second season with the Lakers. On the other hand, their current first-time head coach is still navigating early challenges.
2. Blowout losses, narrow wins
The Los Angeles Lakers are not the type of franchise who can wait for their new head coach to find his footing. They brought him in to win, and considering LeBron James might not play that long, their goal is to fight for a deep playoff run if not titles.
That is where the blowout losses come into focus. Those losses suggest the team have growing pains adapting to Redick’s schemes. Against the Denver Nuggets for example, they quit implementing the schemes and resorted to iso-basketball.
Redick mention that the team stopped playing, but that was the most diplomatic way of saying the team did not execute his plan. Either they lost focus, or they took their lead casually. Whatever, the reason was, Nikola Jokic and his teammates pounced on the chance.
The next game against the Phoenix Suns was a similar story aided with a lack of shooting efficiency. Ham had already dialed the Lakers into his methods, leaving them free of such problems. But even then, they lost winnable games.
3. Can JJ Redick help the Los Angeles Lakers win winnable games?
JJ Redick’s early season plan to avoid consecutive defeats is moot. But if one observes the Los Angeles Lakers, one can understand that the team tries to execute their head coach’s plan. It is just that many of them have been playing far too long in older systems.
As of now, either they are playing his system, or instantly reverting to iso-basketball. If a middle ground can be established, then the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis can avoid going one-on-one for much of the game and focus on the task at hand.
Redick’s words during and after games suggest he is frustrated with his players constantly switching back to their old habits. If anything, he and his army of coaches should drill it down that the players will not succeed if they end up following those old habits.
The records between Darvin Ham and JJ Redick might be similar. But there are far too many differences to suggest the two have had a similar impact. Where Ham’s methods eventually cost him the locker room, players are listening to their new head coach. Maybe the comparison will be more valid after another month of basketball.
